Family film defies logic

The first time I saw the trailer for the film "Zathura: A Space Adventure," I dismissed it as a "Jumanji" knock-off. The concepts are similar; two siblings that don't get along and are alone for the day find a mysterious board game that generates its own reality and hurls them into a spectacular adventure. They can't get back to their own reality either until they finish the game, but more significantly, the end of the game is the catharsis that results after the characters resolve their personal conflicts. \nBoth "Jumanji" and "Zathura" were adapted from Chris Van Allsburg's novels. "Zathura" is the sequel to "Jumanji." However, the film versions aren't connected and although it may seem like "Jumanji" in space, "Zathura's" characters are completely different. "Jumanji" dealt more with themes of lament and nostalgia which "Zathura," on the other hand, is essentially a coming-of-age story. \nZathura focuses on the relationship between two brothers Danny and Walter. All Danny wants is to be acknowledged by his older brother and to play with him, but Walter calls him a baby and only replies to Danny with sarcastic and condescending remarks. The age gap is further illustrated when Walter, who is only four-years-older than Danny and in the 4th grade, explains to him that he can't play with him and doesn't watch cartoons because "times change" and he has a girlfriend. \nAfter one of many fights, Walter sends Danny down into the basement of the house where it's dark and eerie. This is where Danny finds the game by chance, unlike "Jumanji" where the drum beats summon the main characters to the game. The game then takes them into outer space where they have to work together to evade killer robots, cryonic freeze and the gravitational pull of a planet called Tsouris 3. \nOne of the great things about these events in the movie is the arbitrary and subtle comedy that's also included, which I'm sure adults will appreciate more than kids. At one point a small meteor plows through the house and hits what appears to be a standard vase until Danny yells, "Oh no! Grandma!" and ashes scatter across the floor. \nBoth the boys in this movie are relatively unknown actors but are remarkably charming and manage to display good intentions while also being naïve and messing things up like most boys would. Both brothers subsequently learn to cooperate and to cherish and protect each other and value their brotherhood through the help of an astronaut. \nThis astronaut emerges from the game and is later revealed, in a plot twist, to be someone from their future. The twist made absolutely no sense but wasn't the only thing that defied logic and was necessary for the brothers to achieve some harmony and realization. It's important to keep in mind that this movie is really about the bond between two brothers and their vast imaginations -- an adventure through the space, time and world they create for themselves.